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Step 4 - Select an Adoption Agency

For the purpose of this article, the term "waiting child" refers to children currently available for adoption through U.S. public welfare and foster care programs.

More of this Feature •  1. Educate yourself • 2. Examine your capabilities • 3. Adoption expenses • 4. Select an agency • 5. Complete an application • 6. The homestudy • 7. Take classes • 8. Locating a child • 9. Matching • 10. Prepare to welcome your child • 11. Placement • 12. Petition to adopt • 13. Finalization

It's natural to assume that adopting a child in the care of the state is done exclusively through the state departments of Social Services; however, this is not the case.

Some states contract with private agencies to do the home study, placement and post-placement follow-up, and many private agencies will handle waiting child adoptions.

Reasons for selecting a private agency for your homestudy may include:

• It will enable you to pursue adoption of any child in any state because you will be able to send out copies of your homestudy yourself;
• Unresponsiveness from your local social service department.

While adoptions handled by private agencies qualify for subsidies (adoption assistance payments), many of these agencies are not experienced with application procedures, and do not have skills necessary when something goes wrong. Adoptive parents can find themselves on their own in a fight for medical, educational, and other benefits for their children. Be sure to ask questions to make sure you understand any limitations that may exist:

• How many children (with what characteristics) have they placed in each of the past few years?
• What does the agency do to help prevent disruption after placement?
• What is the agency's policy toward applicants who refuse the first child offered to them?
• What services - such as parenting classes, support groups, respite care, etc. - will the agency provide before and after a child is placed with you?
• Can the agency provide references from parents who recently adopted from them? (Keep in mind that agencies will rarely, if ever, provide an unfavorable reference.)

Source: North American Council for Adoptable Children

Several non-profit organizations work to promote awareness of waiting children. These are often called adoption exchanges, and are not agencies. They do not normally charge for matching children with families, and serve as a "meeting place" in order to bring more children to the attention of prospective parents. Their listings generally include children from several states.

Best Resources

• Selecting an Adoption Agency
• Special Needs Infant Adoption
• State Adoption Specialists are your best source for information about public and private licensed agencies in your state.

Next page > Complete an Application

Sources for this article include:
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
North American Council on Adoptable Children
The Learning Center

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